Latin Roots for 3rd Grade

• Latin has significantly influenced the English language.
• Many English words are derived from Latin roots.
• Understanding Latin roots can help students learn new vocabulary words.
• This knowledge improves reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.
• Students in the 3rd grade can be introduced to basic Latin roots.
• This lays a foundation for future language study.

Common Latin Roots

• "Spect" means to see or look.
  • Examples: "spectacle," "inspect," "respect."
• "Port" means to carry.
  • Examples: "portable," "transport," "export."
• "Form" means shape.
  • Examples: "form," "uniform," "reform."
• "Script" or "scrib" means to write.
  • Examples: "script," "describe," "subscribe."
• "Tract" means to pull or draw.
  • Examples: "tractor," "attract," "subtract."
• "Vis" or "Vid" means to see.
  • Examples: "vision," "video," "evident."
• "Plic" or "Plex" means to fold or intertwine.
  • Examples: "implicate," "complex," "duplex."
• "Pon" or "Pos" means to put or place.
  • Examples: "component," "deposit," "expose."
• "Fac" or "Fect" means to make or do.
  • Examples: "factory," "effect," "manufacture."
• "Ced" or "Cess" means to go or yield.
  • Examples: "recede," "process," "access."
• "Duc" or "Duct" means to lead.
  • Examples: "conduct," "introduce," "product."
• "Ten" or "Tent" means to hold.
  • Examples: "tenacious," "tenant," "attention."
• "Ger" or "Gest" means to carry or bear.
  • Examples: "gesture," "digest," "suggest."
• "Mit" or "Miss" means to send.
  • Examples: "transmit," "mission," "dismiss."

Latin Prefixes

• "Re-" means again or back.
  • Examples: "return," "review," "repay."
• "Pre-" means before.
  • Examples: "preview," "predict," "prepare."
• "Pro-" means forward or for.
  • Examples: "project," "promote," "protect."
• "Inter-" means between or among.
  • Examples: "interact," "internet," "interstate."
• "Sub-" means under or below.
  • Examples: "subway," "submarine," "subtract."
• "Trans-" means across or through.
  • Examples: "transport," "transfer," "translate."
• "Super-" means above or over.
  • Examples: "superman," "superior," "supervise."
• "Ex-" means out or away.
  • Examples: "exit," "export," "exclude."
• "De-" means down or away from.
  • Examples: "descend," "detach," "deduct."
• "Com-" or "Con-" means with or together.
  • Examples: "combine," "connect," "compose."
• "Dis-" means not or apart.
  • Examples: "dislike," "disappear," "dismiss."
• "In-" or "Im-" means in or into (or not).
  • Examples: "include," "import," "incorrect," "impossible."

Latin Suffixes

• "-able" or "-ible" means capable of.
  • Examples: "readable," "visible," "breakable."
• "-tion" or "-sion" means the act or state of.
  • Examples: "action," "vision," "completion."
• "-or" means one who does.
  • Examples: "actor," "doctor," "inventor."
• "-ism" means a doctrine, belief, or practice.
  • Examples: "realism," "optimism," "tourism."
• "-ity" means state or quality.
  • Examples: "equality," "sanity," "purity."
• "-ment" means result or means of doing.
  • Examples: "agreement," "payment," "movement."
• "-ous" means full of.
  • Examples: "nervous," "famous," "dangerous."
• "-ant" or "-ent" means performing or being.
  • Examples: "assistant," "student," "resident."

Examples of Derivatives

• "Spectacle" combines "spect" (to see) with "-acle" (something that).
  • A spectacle is something to be seen, often impressive.
• "Transport" combines "trans" (across) with "port" (to carry).
  • Transport means to carry something across a distance.
• "Inform" combines "in" (into) with "form" (shape).
  • To inform is to put knowledge into shape or give information.
• "Describe" combines "de" (down) with "scribe" (to write).
  • To describe is to write down details about something.
• "Attract" combines "at" (to) with "tract" (to pull).
  • To attract is to pull something towards oneself.
• "Vision" comes directly from "vis" (to see) with the suffix "-ion" (the act of).
  • It is the act of seeing or the ability to see.
• "Implicate" combines "im" (in) with "plic" (to fold).
  • To implicate is to be folded into or involved in something.
• "Expose" combines "ex" (out) with "pos" (to put).
  • To expose is to put something out in the open.
• "Factory" is a place where things are made, from "fac" (to make).
• "Recede" combines "re" (back) with "ced" (to go).
  • To recede is to go back.
• "Conduct" combines "con" (with) with "duc" (to lead).
  • To conduct is to lead with others.
• "Attention" combines "at" (to) with "ten" (to hold).
  • Attention is holding one's focus to something.
• "Gesture" comes from "gest" (to carry or bear).
  • A gesture is a movement that carries meaning.
• "Transmit" combines "trans" (across) with "mit" (to send).
  • To transmit is to send something across.

Teaching Strategies for 3rd Grade

• Focus on a few key roots, prefixes, and suffixes at a time.
• Use visual aids like flashcards to help students memorize.
• Play games and activities that involve word building.
• Provide examples of words with the same root in different contexts.
• Encourage students to guess the meanings of new words by identifying the roots.
• Relate Latin roots to everyday words to make learning relevant.
• Include worksheets and exercises for practice.
• Incorporate stories and readings that highlight words with Latin roots.

Importance of Learning Latin Roots

• Expands vocabulary.
• Improves reading comprehension.
• Enhances spelling skills.
• Provides a deeper understanding of the English language.
• Facilitates learning other languages (e.g., Spanish, French, Italian).
• Boosts overall academic performance.
• Develops critical thinking skills.
• Encourages an appreciation for language history.
• Builds a foundation for advanced language studies.
• Increases confidence in language usage.